How to Match Gear Shifting Speed?

[VonOmar]

Gear shifting speed and gear matching are as follows: 1. When the speed is 0-10km/h, use 1st gear; 2. When the speed is 10-20km/h, use 2nd gear; 3. When the speed is 20-30km/h, use 3rd gear; 4. When the speed is 30-40km/h, use 4th gear. Additional information: The test content for Subject 3 includes: 1. Vehicle preparation, starting, straight-line driving, gear shifting operations, and lane changing; 2. Going straight through intersections, passing pedestrian crossings, passing bus stops, and passing school zones; 3. Left turns at intersections, right turns at intersections, meeting oncoming vehicles, overtaking, making U-turns, pulling over to the side, and night driving.

[Antonio]

When driving a manual transmission car, I’ve always felt that matching speed is like learning the rhythm of playing the piano. If you're a beginner, don’t panic—after starting, watch the speedometer or listen to the engine sound to decide when to shift gears. Generally, shift to 2nd gear at 15-20 km/h, 3rd gear at 30-40 km/h, and so on. The key is to keep the RPM around 2000-2500—too low and you risk stalling, too high and it wastes fuel. When upshifting, gently press the accelerator to smoothly increase speed, then shift quickly; when downshifting, reduce gears if the speed drops below, say, 20 km/h, shifting to 2nd or 1st, and add a bit of throttle if needed to avoid jerking. This ensures smooth driving, protects the engine, and saves fuel in the long run. Don’t rely solely on feel—beginners should practice more on empty roads to familiarize themselves with different car models’ responses and gradually build muscle memory.

[McTanner]

As an experienced driver, I've been driving manual transmissions for so many years that speed matching is second nature to me. When accelerating to 30km/h, I naturally shift to 3rd gear for smooth and fuel-efficient performance. On highways, if the speed drops below 40km/h, I immediately downshift to 3rd to restore torque. The key is listening to the engine sound: upshift when it roars loudly, downshift when it sounds weak or the car feels sluggish. Climbing hills or overtaking are perfect times to downshift, keeping the revs high in lower gears for power. Remember to stay ready with gear selection even when coasting in neutral, adjusting according to speed at any moment. This habit extends engine life while reducing shift shock, making operations buttery smooth – even my passengers compliment how comfortable the ride feels.

[CorbinLynn]

When teaching someone to drive, I emphasize that speed matching should start with the basics. Observe the tachometer: maintaining an RPM range of 1500-3000 is ideal. For example, shift up to 2nd gear when accelerating to around 25km/h; downshift to 1st gear when the speed drops to 15km/h. Gear shifting should be done decisively—press the clutch and shift simultaneously. When downshifting, match the vehicle's deceleration and gently blip the throttle for a smooth transition. Don’t wait until the engine stalls to act, as that can cause jerking and damage the car. Safety is even more critical, especially in congested urban areas—proper gear matching helps avoid rear-end collisions. Beginners should practice more on flat roads, using 3rd gear to experiment with acceleration and deceleration to find the rhythm. Remember, engine noise is the best indicator—developing good habits effortlessly leads to safer driving.